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Doreen Drema Simpson Miller, 51, of Pineville, WV, passed away on May 3, 2011 at her home
following an extended illness. She was born January 10, 1960, in Welch, WV, a daughter of the late
Richard Lee and Virginia Belle Long Simpson. She was a homemaker and a 1978 graduate of
Pineville High School. Her two sisters Christine Simpson and Barbara Tolliver, a brother Dennis
Simpson, a sister-in-law Ella Daniels, and her little dog Misty also preceded her in death. Survivors
include her loving husband of 32 years Charles Edgar Miller; her best friend Charlene Miller of
Pineville, WV; two sons C.J. Miller and Pren Miller; six sisters Shirley Lusk of Poughkeepsie, NY,
Marie (Joseph) Whittington of Pineville, WV, Connie (Clyde) Davis of St. Cloud, FL, Betty (Ronnie)
Mitchem of Fanrock, WV, Cletis Ann Miller of Sophia, WV, Diana Faulkner of Princeton, WV; a
brother Jimmie Simpson of Brenton, WV; a special niece and friend Wanda Carter of Glen Fork,
WV; her dog Sugar; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends. In keeping
with Doreen’s wishes she will be cremated and there will be no services.
The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Robie Gene Prater, 71, of Pineville, WV, passed away May 10, 2011 in Appalachian Regional
Hospital. He was born May 10, 1940 in Bonanza, KY, a son of the late Norman and Maggie
Willliams Prater. He was a building contractor for many years. He was preceded in death by his
parents, a sister Effie Wilkins, two brothers Kyle and Conard and a daughter Patricia Carol Prater.
Survivors include a daughter Christy ( Steven) Funderburk of Wingate, NC; four sons Chris (Cara)
Jenkins of Boonville, NC, Robie Gene (Betty) Prater Jr. of Waynesburg, KY, Gary (Shelia) Prater
of Prestonsburg, KY, Greg (Lena) Prater of Winchester, KY; grandchildren Christopher Jenkins,
Jr., Travis Funderburk, Anna Clark, Jason Prater, Justin Prater, David Bentley, Jeani Prater,
James Prater, Johnathan Prater, Staci Russell, Paul Prater, Joshua Prater, Jessica Prater, Devyn
Prater, Aaron Prater; great grandchildren Madlyne "Maddie" Johnson, Charlotte Bentley, Matthew
Prater, Patricia "Gabby" Russell and Audrey Prater; a brother Roy (Vickie) Prater of Lexington, KY;
and a host of other loving family and friends. In keeping with Robie’s wishes he will be cremated.
Memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Friday May 13, 2011 at the Wyoming Methodist
Church, Wyoming, WV, with Rev. Melissa White officiating. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral
Home, Lynco, WV.
Drema Lee “Little Turpin” Walls, 13, of Lillydale, WV, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2011 from
injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born July 28, 1997 in Logan, WV, a daughter of
Michael Lee and Pauline Turpin Walls. She was a 7th grade student at Oceana Middle School and had
attended Baileysville Elementary and Grade School thru the 6th grade. She attended the Briar Creek
Tabernacle Church. She was preceded in death by her grandmother Rosa Lee Walls. Survivors include
her parents Michael Lee and Pauline Turpin Walls of Lillydale; two sisters Katrina Walls and Lea Walls
both of Lillydale; grandparents Jimmy and Drema Turpin of Brier Creek and Darrell Walls of Lillydale;
great grandparents James and Pauline Turpin of Trace Fork; uncles and aunts Glen Walls of Oceana, Ed
Turpin of Covel, William Michael Turpin of Ripley, Randy and wife Rosa Tilley of Lillydale, Crystal Walls of
Lillydale and Jason Hutchinson of Welch; great uncles and aunts Phillip and Diana Ritchie of Trace Fork
and Kent and Jaquetta Vance of Fanrock; cousins Zachary Tilley and Lindsey Walls of Lillydale; family
friends Kylesha Conley of Lillydale and Ed Morgan of Fanrock; her best friend Dustin “Dusty” Justice of
Crouches Farm and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday May
21, 2011at Noon at the Briar Creek Tabernacle, Brier Creek, WV with Pastor Ernie Francis officiating.
She will be laid to rest at Skyline cemetery, Justice, WV. Friends may gather with the family on Friday
May 20, 2011 from 6 - 10:00 PM at the church. Pallbearers will be Randy Tilley, Zack Tilley, Chris Ward,
Michael Turpin, Ed Turpin and Phillip Ritchie. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home,
Lynco, WV.
Elizabeth ”Bessie” Hamilton, 84, of Kopperston, WV, passed away June 1, 2011. She was born June
7, 1926 in McDowell, KY. She was the daughter of the late Wilburn and Catherine “Katie” Moore Tackett.
She was a waitress for many years and a loving wife and mother. Also preceding her in death were four
brothers Carmel, Clifford, Wendell and Carlos; four sisters Naveline (infant), Lesta Stout, Brooke May and
Blanche Prater; one great grandson James. Survivors include her loving husband of 67 years Eldron
Hamilton; two daughters Rebecca Adkins of Kopperston and Kay (Jackie) Sanders of Glen Fork; two sons
Roger (Mai) Hamilton of Blytheville Arkansas and Gregory (Elizabeth) Hamilton of Hutto, TX ; 13
grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00
AM on Friday June 3, 2011 at the Kopperston Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Raybon Cook and
Rev Erwin Gregory officiating. Following cremation, she will be laid to rest in Blue Ridge Memorial
Gardens, Beckley, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 6 – 9:00 PM on Thursday June 2, 2011
at the church. The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to Hospice of Southern West Virginia
for your special care of our wife and mother. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home,
Lynco, WV.
Rosa Opal Blankenship Miller, 84, of Denver, NC, formerly of Kopperston, WV, passed away on
Monday May 30, 2011 in Genisis Nursing Home following a long fight with Alziemers. She was born March
27, 1926 in Big Laurel, WV, a daughter of the late Ulysses and Vallie Blankenship. Opal attended the
Campus Church of God. She was also preceded in death by her husband Estil Miller and her brothers and
sisters. She was the last survivor of her immediate family. Survivors include one son Danny Allan Miller
and wife Tammy of Denver, NC; one granddaughter Jessica Harrelson and husband Shane of Denver,
NC; one great granddaughter Emma Harrelson who she loved dearly; a special niece Sherry Bailey and
husband Gene; a special nephew Ray Miller; and a host of loving family and friends. Funeral services will
be held at 1:00 PM Friday June 3, 2011 at Joseph Baptist Church, Lynco, WV, with Rev. William Cook
officiating. She will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV. Friends may gather with the
family from 6-9:00 on Thursday June 2, 2011 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco,
WV. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Leonard “John” Acord, Sr., 70 , of Lynco, WV passed away at his home on Tuesday May 31, 2011. He
was born October 27, 1940 in Clear Fork, WV, a son of the late Jack and Mary Graham Acord. His wife
Gracie Acord also preceded him in death. He was a retired UMWA coal miner. Survivors include three
sons Leonard Acord, Jr. of Mill Creek, Jackie Acord and wife Angie of Dixon, MO and Bill Acord and wife
Stacie of Lynco ; one daughter Aundrea Acord of Lynco, WV; six grandchildren Johnny, Cody and Latasha
Acord of Mill Creek, Alivia Grace Acord of Lynco and Ethan and Erin Acord of Dixon, MO; two sisters
Lucille Varney of Oceana and Betty Johnson of Beaver; one brother Bobby Acord and wife Phyllis of Mill
Creek; and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday
June 4, 2011 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, with Rev. William Cook officiating.
He will be laid to rest in Cook cemetery, Lynco, WV. Friends may gather with the family from noon until
time of service at the funeral home on Saturday. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco,
WV.
Jimmy Ray Shaw, 53, of Pineville, WV went home to heaven on Wednesday June 1, 2011 at his home.
He was born November 20, 1957 in McDowell County, WV, a son of the late Grover Shaw and Martha
Profitt. Also preceding him in death a brother Grover Howard Shaw ; daughter Heather Dawn Shaw and
brother- in- law Charles Williams. Survivors include his mother with whom he resided; one brother Abrey
Shaw and wife Debbie of Welch-Pineville Rd.; two sisters Linda Forrest and husband Al of Princeton, WV
and Brenda Williams of Briar Creek, WV; ex wife Debbie Byrd Hodges; two step children Daniel and
Tonya; several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends; special friend Brenda Cox. The family
would like to send a special thank you to Hospice of Southern WV and nurses Tracey and Kim. Funeral
services will be held 12:00 PM on Sunday June 5, 2011 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral
Home, Lynco, with Minister Doug Thorn officiating. He will be laid to rest in Jackson Curve cemetery,
Pineville, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 10:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home.
The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Robert Rodney “Bob” “Railroad” Stafford, Sr., 72, of Baileysville, WV passed away on
Monday June 6, 2011 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born June
2, 1939 in Baileysville, WV, a son of the late Rodney and Margarett Leola Aliff Stafford. He
was a retired coal miner, member of the UMWA and worked many years at US Steel’s # 50
mine on Pinnacle Creek. Also preceding him in death was a son Randy Ray Stafford; a
granddaughter Angelina Maria Stafford; two brother-in-laws Mel Yerbey and Verlin Atwell.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years Sylvia Atwell Stafford; two daughters Regina Sue
Stafford and companion Lendon “Jeff” Cline of Lynco and Rebecca “Becky” Mueller and
husband Ted of Oceana; four sons Robert “Robbie” Stafford Jr. and companion Shelly
McKinney of Mill Creek, Richard “Ricky” Stafford and companion Tammy Welch of
Baileysville, Russell “Rusty” Stafford and companion Dora Walker of Hanover, WV and
Joseph Ray “JR” Stafford of Baileysville; two sisters Evelyn Spires of Cleveland, OH and
Linda Yerby of Cherokee, AL; one brother William “Bill” Stafford and wife Gertie of
Cleveland, OH; and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held
Friday June 10, 2011 at 12:30 PM in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home,
Lynco, with Rev. Tommy Knotts officiating. He will be laid to rest in Stafford Family
cemetery, Baileysville, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 6-9:00 PM Thursday
June 9, 2011 at the funeral home. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral
Home, Lynco, WV.
Thelma Dooley Mulkey, 87, of Beckley, WV, formerly of Oceana, left this life to be with
the Lord on Wednesday June 8, 2011 at her home. She was born August 15, 1923 in
Grundy, VA, a daughter of the late William and Ida Belton Dooley. She was the last
surviving member of her immediate family. Also preceding her in death was her husband
“Red” Mulkey; a step grandson Patrick Edds; brothers Bill Dooley; a sister Ruby Bryant.
Survivors include her daughter Carol Edds and husband Nathan of White Oak; two
grandchildren Kellie Aromin and husband Butch of Beckley, WV with whom she resided for
the last 15 years and Lisa Griffith of Daniels, WV; one step grandson Nathan Edds, Jr. and
wife Melissa of Louisville, Ky.; two great grandchildren Jordan Aromin, and Mackenzie
Aromin; two step great grandchildren Alishia and Nikki Edds; a special nephew Jerry “Duke”
Dooley of Indiana and a host of loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:
00 PM Saturday June 11, 2011 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco,
with the Rev. James Walker officiating. She will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens,
Matheny, WV. Friends may gather with the family from noon until service time on Monday at
the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Doyle Johnson, Chris Graham, Bud Smith, David
Hurst and Will Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Redden and Cecil Rollins. The family is
being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
